FlyNano FAQ

FlyNano is the world’s lightest powered fixed-wing aircraft, and the coolest gadget around! It’s all-electric seaplane, that is extremely fun to fly! FlyNanos have been designed and they are manufactured by Fly Nano Ltd (Fly Nano Oy), a Finnish company headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. It took over 10 years and several breakthrough innovations to succeed in developing such a unique world-class product. Currently the company is executing the final test program.

Initial sales have been started, and all the interested parties are warmly welcomed to fill in the non-binding Letter of Intent. The customers and partners who have signed this Letter of Intent will be prioritized when the further sales activities are taken. The sales of the FlyNanos are expected to start officially during this summer 2018.
More information can be found under the following frequently asked questions. The company reserves the right to update and change the information on its websites at any time and takes no responsibility or liability on the accuracy or the content of the information.

Operating the FlyNano

How high can I fly with the FlyNano?

For some reason this is the most frequently asked question. Even if technically FlyNanos could be flown up to around 5 000 meters (16 000 feet), the use case for the FlyNanos is to fly them low, around 30–150 meters (100–500 feet). These low heights provide the greatest feeling of speed and exhilaration, enhanced with the open cockpit of the plane. As the battery capacity is the main limiting factor for the flying time, the use case includes also battery changes and multiple take-offs and landings, resulting to the low flying altitudes in their own part.

How long, how fast and how far can I fly with the FlyNano?

The FlyNano is an extremely light aircraft. In many cases the pilot weighs more than the plane! So, in addition to the weather conditions, the weight of the pilot, his/her flying skills and the way how the pilot chooses to fly have a very significant effect on the flying time and on the top speed. Fly Nano Ltd aims to utilize the future advancements in the battery technology in full, and the flying time will multiply in time. Currently the expected flying time with one battery is around 10-15 minutes, after when the battery can be changed into a charged one and flights can be continued. The airspeed is around 100–120 km/h. The flying distance with one battery is around 20–30 kilometres.

How difficult is the FlyNano to operate on water?

The design of the FlyNano supports the pilot to operate the plane on water as safely as possible. If and when the tips of the wings touch the water, the form of the tips will cause a positive, uprighting effect, leveling the wings into a safer position. In higher speeds the aerodynamics prevent the wing from dipping into the water. It goes without saying, that a gross mishandling will of course lead to non-wanted, even dangerous results. A safe operation of a seaplane requires some specific skills, and the FlyNano Academy will provide the proper training that is tailored for the use of the FlyNanos. The FlyNano has been designed to be operated in conditions where the wave heights are low and the wind is relatively light.

How easy is the FlyNano to assemble, disassemble, transport and store?

Very easy! These are one of the key design requirements. The FlyNano aircraft consists of three main pieces, and the assembly and the disassembly can be done by two persons in 15 minutes. The extreme lightness of the plane means that the whole aircraft can be carried easily with two persons, even when it’s assembled. The heaviest single part weighs approximately 30 kg. When disassembled, the FlyNano can be packed conveniently into a specific FlyNano-trailer for transportation and storage. A specific FlyNano-dock will be available for parking and storing the plane at the pier or by the shore.

Safety and regulations

Do I need a pilot's license to operate the FlyNano?

An official pilot’s license is not needed to operate the FlyNano in many countries, but appropriate flying skills are still needed, together with a good understanding of water plane operations, rules and aviation safety. Fly Nano Ltd with its partners will ensure that its customers have the proper piloting skills with the FlyNano Academy, a pilot training program tailored for the use of the FlyNanos. In European Union the parliament has passed a regulation of the European Aviation Safety Association, excluding the aircrafts which have a maximum mass of no more than 70 kg. National authorities can decide on the classification, but for example in Finland no classification, aviation license or medical certification are needed. For further information please check your local aviation authority.

How safe it is to fly the FlyNano?

The company’s mission is to bring real aircraft piloting experiences for masses! To fulfill this mission, it is paramount that the aircraft is as easy and as safe plane to fly and operate as possible! These have been the very key requirements when designing, developing and manufacturing the FlyNanos. The flight characteristics of the FlyNano resemble very much of the Cessnas, that are easy to fly and the most widely used aircrafts in the new pilot training programs worldwide. It is possible to take the FlyNano down safely by gliding without the engine in the case of loss of power. The glide ratio is approximately 1:6. Very often the aviation accidents in general are caused by the errors of pilots. The FlyNano Academy evaluates the skills of the pilot candidates, provides appropriate training and guides the pilots on the type of flying that is safe for the pilot in question. Due to its unique design and the all-electric powertrain, the FlyNanos can be operated on various difficulty levels, and it suits perfectly for beginners as well as for experts in aviation.

What references does the Fly Nano Ltd have in the aviation industry?

The FlyNano is based on an idea of Mr. Aki Suokas. He’s one of the founders and the head designer of the Fly Nano Ltd. Mr. Suokas is internationally renowned aircraft designer and a trusted safety advisor for major aviation industry companies. He has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. The FlyNano is his eight aircraft. They are all beautifully designed and they perform as expected. The well-known airplanes include e.g. PIK-20, PIK-23 and PIK-27. Mr. Suokas is accredited by a Finnish aviation authority to carry out technical inspections of the aircrafts and to certify them to be suitable for flight. Mr. Suokas also designs and approves change works for aircrafts and carries out damage inspections for the insurers. He owns a seaplane. He is a Nordic precision flying master and holds a silver medal in the European Championships, a fifth place in the World Championships and a seventh place in the Finnish Championships.

Can the FlyNano be registered or insured?

Generally yes, just like the hang gliders and paragliders. There are some variations between the counties. The company pursues to support the customers with pre-negotiated insurance deals.

Specifications

How long does it take to charge the battery?

It takes approximately one hour to charge the battery in full.

With what kind of control column is the FlyNano equipped with?

The rudder is controlled by pedals. Tailerons (ailerons + elevators) and throttle are controlled intuitively by a stick with your right hand, very similar to a normal airplane.

Which instruments does the FlyNano have?

All the instruments and flight information are displayed at the FlyNano head-up display (HUD). The HUD is located at the helmet or in the goggles. The information includes for example the charge level of the battery, airspeed, altimeter and the RPM of the motor.

Can I buy a FlyNano that has wheels?

Currently no. The spearhead product of the Fly Nano Ltd is the FlyNano, a seaplane that requires water for take offs and landings. The company has an amphibious version, a plane that can operate both on land and on water, in its roadmap, as well as a two-seater, but it will take a couple of years before those will be available.

Is the FlyNano also available with a windshield or a closed cockpit?

Our philosophy is to ’feel the wind’. So windshields or closed cockpits are not available. The open cockpit together with the unique characteristics of the FlyNano will give an unforgettable, exhilarating effect. The pilot needs to wear a helmet or at least some type of goggles. We also recommend a drysuit/wetsuit or similar type of clothing.

How can I find further information regarding the FlyNanos?

The best way to get updated information is to join our mailing list and to check regularly our website including also this FAQ-page. We’ll update these as we have more information to share. But if you have further enquiries please contact sales(at)flynano.com about sales, and info(at)flynano.com about other issues. But please bear with us, we are getting a lot of emails so it may take a while for us to give you a reply. More detailed sales information will be shared also with those who have signed the Letter of Intent.

Purchasing a FlyNano

Are FlyNanos sold outside of Europe?

Yes they are. Information regarding the available markets will be revealed soon. Please let us know of your interest by filling in the non-binding Letter of Intent.

How much will the FlyNano cost?

The unique all-electric powertrain makes the operational costs of the FlyNanos extremely low. The electric motor is practically maintenance free. The price for the first fully packed signature edition FlyNanos is 85 000 euros without taxes, shipping and customs costs. For the reference, one FlyNano aircraft and a FlyNano-specific trailer will fit inside a standard 20 foot shipping container. Further sales details will be shared closer to the official sales start.

How can I buy the FlyNanos?

All the interested parties are warmly welcomed to fill in the non-binding Letter of Intent. The customers and partners who have signed this Letter of Intent will be prioritized when the further sales activities are taken. The sales of the FlyNanos are expected to start officially during this summer 2018.